Perforating device for music-rolls.



PATENTED MAY 31, 904.

HQP. BALL. PERPORATINGDEVIGE PO'B ,musxo ROLLS.

' APPLICATION FILED JULY 3, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

l0 IQDEL.

v WITNESSES:

1Io.761 ,132. Y PATBNI'ED M AY 31,1904.

- H. 2. BALL.

PERFORATING DEVICE FOR MUSIC- ROLLS. APPLIOA TION FILED JULY 3, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. 40

INVENTOR ATTRNEY.

HENRY PRICE Patented May 31, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

BALL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SAMUEL INSULL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

-PER-FORATING DEVICE FQRIMUSIC-ROYLLS."

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 761,132, dated May 31, 1904.

' Application filed July 3, 1902. Seria1No.l14:,178. (a. niodel.)

To all ZU7b07Z2/ it may concern:

1 Be it known that I, HENRY PRICE BALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, county and State of N ew York, have invented a PerforatingDevicefor Music-Rolls, of which the following is a specification. Y My invention relates to a perforating device adapted to be used in connection with a piano or other similar musical instrument, and which has for its object to reproduce upon a moving strip of paper as a series of perforations the notes played upon the piano or other musical instrument, so that when such perforated strip is caused to pass through a suitable mechanical instrument the musical composition originally played will be reproduced.

The object of, my invention is to simplify the production and decrease the cost of music- The accompanying drawings will-serve to illustrate my invention.

Figure 1 is a top view. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are sections taken on the line X X of Fig. 1., showing the position of the parts at different times and also illustrating the circuit connections. Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken through a pair of the friction-disks and the plate held between them. This figure also illustrates the relation of the plates to the spring-clips,

In the drawings, 5 indicates the supporting frame. Arranged transversely of the frame are the shafts 6 7 8 9. The shaft 6 is provided at one end with a gear 10, which .meshes with a gear 11 on the end of shaft 7 Secured alsoupon the shaft 7 is a. beveled gear 12, which meshes with the beveled gear 13 on the inclined shaft 1 1. Arranged onthe shaft 14 are the worms 15 16. The worm 15 engages witha pinion 17 on the end of shaft 8, and the worm 16 engages with a pinion 18 on the end of shaft 9. The Worm 15 is. provided with two threads 19 20. The

threads 19 are arranged parallel, and conse,

quently produce no movement of the pinion 17 The threads 20, however, have a pitch which is so designed that with a definite movement given to shaft 14 a definite move;

ment will also begiven to the pinion 17 when engaged by the threads 20, the object of which arrangement is to impart a step-bystep forward movement to the pinion 17 and a corresponding similar movement to the strip of paper or other material to be perforated. Also arranged transversely of the machine is a roller 21, from which the paper or other material is unwound, and a roller 22, on which the perforated music-roll is wound, and a guide-roller 23. These three rollers 21 22 23 are mounted in spring-pressed bearings 24, the object'of which arrangement so far as the rollers 21 22 are concerned is to provide a means for compensating for the difl erence in size which the rollers and the material have as the material is wound from one to the other and so far as the guide-roller 23 is concerned to cause it to exert a constant pressure upon the :paper or other material passing between it and the friction-roller 25 on shaft 8. 26 is a guide-roller, also .mounted transversely of the machine, but having fixed bearings.

Arranged on the shaft 9 is a friction-roller 27, which bears equally upon the strip of, pa per or other material M to ,be perforated on the rollers 21 22 and whichserves to impart a continuous unwinding movement of the paper from the-rol1er21 onto the roller 22.

28 indicates a looseroller carrying aweight or weights 29, which arrangement is designed to take up the slack inthe paper M, which occurs when the paper Mor other material is given a step-forward movement under the action of the shaft 8 and friction-roller 25 and which, it will be seen, is more rapid than the windingmovement of the roller 22. It will also be understood that when the paper is held by the movement of the 'punch or punches the continuous unwinding movement of the roller 21 causes the paper to accumulate to the left of punches, which accumulation istaken care of when the step-forward movement is made under the action of the shaft 8 and friction-roller 25. p V Arranged transversely of the machine is a fixed die-seat 30, and situated over this (lieseat is a fixed guide 31, in which is located a reciprocating frame 32, carrying a series of loosely-mounted punches 33. Pivoted on the rod 34, which is-secured to the reciprocating frame 32, are a series of pendent cams 35, the number of cams corresponding to the number of punches. The reciprocating frame 32 is pivotally connected at its upper end 36 with eccentrics 37 mounted on shaft 7 Inclosing the shaft 7 and insulated therefrom between the eccentrics 37 is a metallic sleeve 38. This sleeve 38 is not continuous around the shaft, but has its opposing edges separated by a strip of insulating material 39. Bearing upon the periphery of the sleeve 38 are a se ries of insulated contact-springs 40 and a single spring 40.

It will be understood from the description so far as given'that the paper or other mate rial to be perforated is given a continuous movement in unwinding from one roller and windingupon the other, but that the paper which is allowed to accumulate in front of the die-seat at intervals'c'. 0., when the punches are not passing through the paper-is given a Step-by-step movement across the die-seat,

with a core 43, to which is connected a rod 44, loosely attached at its-lower end to one arm of abell-crank 45. The opposite arm of this bell-crank is connected through a link 46 to a pendent cam 35. On the upper end of the rod 44 is a bridge-piece 47 adapted to bridge the contacts 48 49, located under the solenoid 42.' It will be understood that when the'solenoids are actuated they will attract their cores, which will make traction through the rods 44 and bell-crank upon the pendent cams 35, and thus move them to'the left over the punches 33,as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. d When the pendent cams are thus moved to the left, as above stated, and the reciproeating frame 32 carried downward,'the punch es 33, located under such of the cams as have been moved to the left.'will be forced through the paper or other material passing over' the die-seat. I will now describe the means by which the solenoids are actuated.

Mounted upon the shaft 6' are a series of circular plates 50, provided with the projecting portions 51, which in width cover approximately one-fourth of the circumference of the plates. These plates are loose upon the shaft 6, and consequently do not move when the shaft is rotated. Arranged on each side of the plates are friction-disks 52, fixedly secured to the shaft 6 through a key or otherwise.

Located above the circular plates 50 and pivoted upon a transverse rod 53 are latches, one for each circular plate. These latches are formed of two parts, a hook portion 54, adapted to engage with the extension 51 of the circular plate 50, and abridge portion 55, which carries the spring-pressed pawl 56, adapted to engage with a shoulder 57 on the rear of the hook portion 54. Connected to thepart isa cord 58. The cords 58 may be connected through any suitable mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or other-device to The object of making the latches in two'p'arts is to permit the hook end 54 to snap back'into its original position when the lever end of the'pawl 56 is brought in contact with the transverse rod 59. I

'I'will now describe the electrical circuits.

D indicates a dynamo or other source of electrical energy. The dynamo is connected through oneterminal by conductor 60 to shaft 6 and circular plates 50, and also through conductor 61, in which there is a resistance 62, to contacts 48, under a solenoid 42. The opposite terminal of the dynamo is connected through a conductor 63 to the contact-spring 40, andalso through the conductor 64 to the contact-plate 65, under the bridge portion 55 ofthe latch. is connected througha conductor 67 to one terminal of the solenoid 42. The opposite terminal of the solenoid is connected through the conductor 68 to the spring-clips 69, mounted in the path of movement of theprojections 51 of the plates 50. This terminal of the solenoid' 42 is also connected to the contactplate 49. The contact-springs 40 are connected through the conductor 70 to the upper terminal of the solenoid 42.

The operation of my device is as follows: Assuming the shafts 6 and 7 to be in motion through the instrumentality of a suitable motor and the operator has pressed down a key of a musical instrument or keyboard connected to the perforating device through the" instrumentality of the cords 58 and has allowed such key to rise again, the hook portion 54 of the latch will be elevated and the circular plate 50 released, which, owing to the frictional action of the disk 52, will be given one revolution or rotated three hundred and sixty The opposite contact-plate 66 degrees to the right. When the extension 51 of the plate has traversed one hundred and eighty degrees, it will be brought in contact with a spring-clip 69. As soon as this contact takes place a circuit is closed through the solenoid 42, such circuit being as follows: Dynamo D, conductor 63, contact-spring 40, sleeve 38, contact-springs 40, conductor 7 O, solenoid 42, conductor 68, contact-clip 69, extension 51, contact-plate 50, conductor .60, back to dynamo. The effect of closing the circuit through the solenoid 42 is to cause it to attract its core, lift the rod 44, and through it a bell-crank 45, which, acting upon a pendent cam 35, draws the cam to the left and over a punch 33, with the result that as the frame 32 reciprocates a punch 33 moves downward through the paper M, passing across the dieseat 30. The reciprocating frame 32 will make one movement during thetime the extension 51 is in contact with the spring-clip 69, owing tothe fact that shaft 7 is geared to go four times as fast as'shaft '6 and that'such extension in length is so proportioned that it will make contact during one revolution of shaft 7 or one-quarter of a revolution of shaft 6. Under the conditions assumed when the extension 51 leaves the clip 69 the particular circuit described is broken, the extension 51 continuing its uniform forward movement until it is again caught by the hook end 54 of the latch. Assuming now the operator to press down a key andhold it down, in such case the bridge end 55 of the latch will cover the contact-plates 66, with the effect that the circuit through the solenoid will be maintained from the time the extension 51 makes contact with the spring-clip 69 until the operator raises his finger and releases the bridgepiece 55. The maintenance of the circuit through the solenoid 42 after the extension 51 leaves the spring-clip 69 is accomplished by the solenoid attracting its core and bridging the contacts 48 49 by the bridge-piece 55, the circuit at such times being from dynamo D by conductor 64, contact 65, bridge-piece 55, contact 66, conductor 67, solenoid 42, contact 49, bridge 47 contact 48, conductor 61, resistance 62, back to dynamo. The reason for introducing 'a resistance in this path is owing to the fact that it requires less current to maintain the solenoid elevated than to originally lift it.

The object of providing the sleeve 38 is to insure the maintenance of the circuit through the solenoid 42 after the'operator has struck a key until the punch 33 has completed its entire movement, or, in other words, insure the complete action of a punch in making .a perforation and entirely independent of when the operator may raise his finger as regard the position of the frame 32.

It will be understood from the description as set forth that when the finger of the operator is pressed down and immediately released the punch makes a single round hole and that where the finger is pressed down and held down there will be a number of reciprocations of the-punch, and consequently a series of holes forming a slot, the size of the slot de-v pending upon the length of time the finger is held down. It will further be observed that between the time of the striking of the key of the musical instrument by the operator and the time of the operation of the punch there will elapse a certain period of time, which occurs from the time of the striking of the key until the extension 51 is brought in contact with the spring-clip 69, this period of time of course depending upon the speed at which the machine is run.

I have described in this application frictional means consisting of disks for rotating the plates 50. I wish it understood that I may employ any frictional or other means for imparting motion to the plates. Further, I wish it understood that various other parts of the mechanism may be altered and changed to produce the required motions without in anywise departing from the intent of my in- Vention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. A perforating device for music-rolls comprising a die-seat, means for moving the material to be perforated across the die-seat, a driven shaft, a reciprocating frame carried by the shaft, a series of punches carried by the frame, means for throwing said punches into operation to perforate the moving material, and means for introducing a uniform time limit between the striking of a note by the operator and the response by the punching mechanism;

2. A perforating device for musicrolls, comprising a die-seat, means for moving the material to be perforated across the die-seat, a driven shaft, a reciprocatingframe carried by said shaft, a series of punches carried by the frame, a series of pendent cams carried by the frame, and means for actuating the cams, whereby the independent punches may be thrown into operation to perforate the moving material at the will of the operator.

3; A perforating device for music-rolls comprising a die-seat, means for imparting to the material to be perforated a continuous unwinding movement in front of the die-seat, and a step-by-step movement across the dieseat, a driven shaft, a reciprocating frame, a series of punches carried by said frame, and means for throwing said punches into operation to perforate the moving material at the will of the operator.

4. In a perforating device for music-rolls, an oscillating head and a driving means therefor, a series of punches, a series of pivoted cams, and means for throwing said cams into action, whereby the movements of said punches are controlled.

5. A1 perforating device: for musicrolls comprising aseries of punches, a: die-seat; means for moving the material I to' be'-pe1'fo:-- rated across=the die-seat, .adriven shaft; an eccentric mounted on said shaft, a frame-carried by said eccentric, a series of cams mounted in said frame, a series of electroresponsive devices, a series of bell-cranks introduced between said electroresponsive devices and said cams, and means under the control of the operator for closing electric circuits through said electroresponsive devices.

6. A perforating device for music rolls comprising a series of punches, a driven shaft, a series of cams adapted to be constantly reciprocated over said punches, a series of electroresponsive devices connected to said cams, means under the control of the operator for closing circuits through said electroresponsive devices, and means controlled by said electroresponsive devices for maintaining the circuits through said electroresponsive devices.

7. In a perforating device for music-rolls, a series of punches, a continuously-oscillating head, driving means therefor, a series of pivoted cams on said head, a series of electroresponsive devices actuating the cams, and a series of electric circuit-selectors for said devices.

8. A perforating device for music-rolls, comprising a punching mechanism, mechanism for producing the required movement of the material to be perforated under the punches, and electrical means for controlling the punches, said means consisting of a series of movable plates, a series of electromagnets, mechanism introduced between the magnets and the punching mechanism, a series of latches under the control of the operator, a source of electrical energ, and electrical circuit connections between said plates and said magnets.

9. A perforating device for music-rolls, comprising'in its construction a driven shaft, a series of plates on said shaft, having extensions in length approximately one-quarter of the circumference of said plates, means on said shaft for rotating said plates, a series of latches under the control of the operator and normally engaging the extensions on said plates, a series of perforating mechanisms, and means whereby the movement of said plates throws said perforating mechanisms into and out of operation.

10. A perforating device for music-rolls embodying in its construction, a driven shaft,

:a series of controllers on said shaft, having extensions thereon, a series of latches under the control of the operator engaging with said extensions, a c1rcu1t-clos1ng means located 1n the path of movement of said controllers, and

a series of perforating devices adapted to be thrown into action through the movement of said controllers.

11. A perforating device for music-rolls,

be perforated,

embodying-in its constructionadriven shaft, a:rpunehingmechanism, a'sleeve-on'said shaft, arstrip. of conducting materia-l arranged longitudinally of the sleeve,na=:series of contactbrushes bearing on said sleeve, a series of electroresponsive devices connected to said brushes, and means under the control of the operator for establishing circuit between said strip, blades and electroresponsive devices.

12. A perforating device for music-rolls, comprising means for moving the material to a series of reciprocating punches, means for throwing the punches into and out of operation, a driven shaft,a series of plates on said shaft corresponding'in number with the punches, aseries of latches coacting with said plates, means for imparting motion to said plates, and means for independently releasing the latches.

13, In a perforating devicefor music-rolls, the combination of a driven shaft, a series of plates loosely mounted on said shaft, a series of friction-disks adapted to coact with said plates, latches for controlling the primary movement of said plates, and means for actuating the latches to permit movement of the plates.

14. In a perforating device for music-rolls, the combination of a driven shaft, a series of plates on said shaft provided with extensions, a series of spring-clips with which the extensions of the plates coact, a series of latches controlling the movement of the plates, means for actuating the latches, a source of electrical energy, a series of electromagnets, and the ciron it connections between the respective parts.

15. In a perforating device for music-rolls, the combination of a driven shaft, a sleeve on said shaft having its opposing ends separated by.- a portion of insulating material, contactstrips bearing on said sleeve, a series of solenoidal magnets, a source of electrical energy, and interposed circuit connections, whereby means are provided for maintaining the integrity of the circuit during a complete reciprocation of the shaft.

16. In a perforating device for music-rolls, the combination of a series of reciprocating punches, a fixed die-seat, means for moving the material to be perforated a fixed amount be- "tween successive operations of any individual punch, a series of magnets, a series of bellcranks actuated by said magnets, and means actuated by said bell-cranks which control the punching action of thepunches.

17. In a perforating devicefor music-rolls, the combination of a driven shaft, a series of plateson said shaft, means for driving said plates, means for controlling the movement of the plates, a second driven shaft, a series of punches reciprocated by said second driven shaft, means for moving the material to be perforated under the punches, a series of magnets, means controlled by the magnets for determining the perforating action of the punches, means for timing the movements of the said devices andtl'lemovements'of the oscillating head, whereby the punches are retained in operation until one or more complete perforating movements'have taken place.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in 5 the presence of two witnesses.

I I HENRY PRICE BALL. Witnesses:

J. E. PEARSON,

FRANK OCoNNoR. 

